Peggy Flanagan deflects Minnesota fraud blame toward Gov. Tim Walz

Minnesota Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan pointed the finger at Gov. Tim Walz when asked during a recent interview about her responsibility for the massive fraud scandal that unfolded under their watch.

“I would say, the governor says the buck stops with him, more should have been done sooner, and I agree,” Flanagan said on MSNOW on Thursday when asked if she bears any responsibility for the scandal, which federal investigators have said could total more than $9 billion.

Flanagan, who is the Democratic nominee for Senate in Minnesota, continued, “And now we know that 100 people have been charged, 60 have been convicted.”

Flanagan’s comments sparked pushback on social media from users accusing her of deflecting responsibility given she has served alongside Walz as his second in command since 2019.

PEGGY FLANAGAN WAS MINNESOTA’S NO 2 OFFICIAL AS MASSIVE FRAUD SCANDAL EXPLODED UNDER STATE’S WATCH

“Minnesota Democrat Peggy Flanagan blames Tim Walz and dodges accountability for rampant fraud in her state,” the Republican National Committee (RNC) posted on X.

“She KNOWS she’s vulnerable on this,” conservative radio host and editor Larry O’Connor posted on X. “Huge opening for @Michele_Tafoya.”

Former sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya, Flanagan’s Republican opponent in November, also reacted to the clip in a post on X saying, “Peggy Flanagan refuses to take any responsibility and accountability for billions of our tax dollars being stolen under her watch as lieutenant governor.

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“Minnesotans deserve better than excuses. They deserve leaders who will take responsibility and get the job done.”

Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X, “Here is Peggy Flanagan blaming Tim Walz for the fraud. Oh yeah, she knows she’s cooked if she rightfully gets tied to the fraud.”

The fraud scandal in Minnesota ultimately pushed Walz to drop his bid for re-election, and critics have continued to hammer his administration for not doing enough to prevent the growing fraud problem, which had become an open secret in the state over the past few years.

Flanagan’s culpability in the fraud scandal will likely become a major talking point in her campaign for Senate as calls from conservatives for more accountability continue to pour in as no top officials have been fired or removed from office in the scandal’s aftermath.

“@peggyflanagan did NOTHING to protect vulnerable citizens & taxpayers despite countless whistleblower reports, Auditor reports, & criminal convictions,” Minnesota Republican State Rep. Kristin Robbins, who chaired the Minnesota House’s Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee posted on X this week.

“Peggy Flanagan, @Tim_Walz & @keithellison protected their political base instead of stopping the fraud.

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Flanagan did not mention fraud during her victory speech following Tuesday night’s Senate primary, which also drew criticism from Tafoya on social media.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Flanagan campaign for comment.